In a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Gary R. Ahidley Jr., 27, plead guilty to one count of an indictment charging him with possessing a firearm in November 2010 in Otero County.

At the time, Ahidley was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted on assault charges in federal court in Las Cruces and ordered to serve a 41 month prison sentence in February 2007.

During Ahidley's hearing, he admitted possessing a Luger 9 mm handgun in November 2010. Court records reflect that Bureau of Indian Affairs agents learned about the firearm in December 2010 from a Mescalero woman who reported that Ahidley had assaulted her on Nov. 30, 2010.

Based on the information from the victim, BIA agents were able to retrieve the weapon from a Mescalero Apache Reservation residence.

Ahidley has been in federal custody since his arrest in July 2012. He is jailed until his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

At sentencing, Ahidley faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Under the terms of Ahidley's plea agreement, his charge of assault will be dismissed after Ahidley is sentenced.